From the forests and lakes of Finland to the lively streets of twentieth-century Paris, and finally to the Austrian Alps, this concert takes us on a journey across Europe through music.

Sibelius’s Finlandia opens the evening with music that became a symbol of Finnish national identity, capturing the spirit of a nation striving for independence.

We then move to France, where Poulenc’s Piano Concerto reflects the wit, energy and cultural contrasts of twentieth-century Paris. We are delighted to welcome back Antonio Oyarzábal, whose album La Muse Oubliée received five stars from BBC Music Magazine. His sensitivity to colour and atmosphere makes him a particularly compelling interpreter of Poulenc’s music.

Our journey ends in the Austrian Alps, where Brahms spent two summers composing his Fourth Symphony. His last symphony, it remains one of his most personal and remarkable achievements.